Los Angeles, CA - The Southern California Water Coalition (SCWC) announced today that Rich Atwater will be retiring as the organization’s executive director in April of this year after 5 years of dedicated service. In addition, SCWC announced that Charles Wilson, formerly with Southern California Edison and immediate past-chair of SCWC, has been selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as the organization’s new executive director, following Atwater’s retirement on April 1, 2016.

SCWC Vice Chairman and Supervisor for Riverside County’s Fifth District Marion Ashley will take on a new role as the organization’s Chairman.

Atwater will continue as an advisor to SCWC following his retirement in April.

“We’re incredibly fortunate for the lasting contributions Rich Atwater has made for this organization, which have enabled the Southern California Water Committee to cement its role as one of the state’s most respected voices on water policy,” said Supervisor Ashley, chair of SCWC.

Charles Wilson, has more than 25 years of experience in utilities, most recently at Southern California Edison. He served as SCWC chair and is a recognized organizational leader with a deep background in both the public and private sectors.

“We are well positioned to take on the myriad of water issues Southern California faces, and I will work tirelessly to continue to enhance and expand our voice and role in Southern California at a time when it is more important than ever,” said Wilson.

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Established in 1984, the Southern California Water Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources. Spanning Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Ventura and Kern counties, the SCWC’s members include representatives from business, government, agriculture, water agencies, labor and the general public. Visit us at www.socalwater.org and find us on Facebook.